Leeds United are still “exploring” the option to sign Neco Williams from Nottingham Forest, according to transfer expert, Dean Jones.
The Whites are keen to add depth in the full-back areas, and they have been heavily linked with a move for the 22-year-old former Liverpool defender.
Jones says Leeds are checking on other options as well, which means a move for Williams is “more in hope than expectation”. Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo has made it clear that he doesn’t want to sell the defender, but Jones suggests that the deal won’t be “really difficult” to do, because of their financial situation.
According to a recent report from The Athletic, the Whites are also keeping a close eye on West Ham United’s Ben Johnson and Burnley’s Connor Roberts.
Williams has managed only 506 minutes of action this season, but Forest are not keen to let him go.
“I do think that this one is going to be a really difficult one to do. Obviously, Forest have new complications of their own to deal with at the moment, so that might help Leeds – in some way – to land him. But the plan for Forest was not to get rid of Williams this month,” Jones told GiveMeSport.
“It’s interesting that Leeds are exploring it, but I think it is also worth considering that Leeds have got feelers out on four or five players like this at the moment. It was probably more in hope than expectation that they could actually get a deal done for Williams.”
Need for defender
In the past two weeks, things have changed drastically for Leeds and they are forced to delve into the market to sign new players. Luke Ayling has joined Middlesbrough on loan while Djede Spence returned to Tottenham.
Williams, who joined Forest from Liverpool 18 months, ago has two-and-a-half years remaining on his £50,000-per-week contract. Forest are in strong negotiating position for the player but they were charged with breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules earlier this week.
As a result, Forest could be forced into selling some of their players to impress Premier League authorities that they are adhering to the rule, and they are desperate to reduce the wage bill. This could play in Leeds’ hands if they want to make a move for Williams.
